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A Garibaldian in the Convent
A Garibaldian in the Convent
7.4
/10
782 Ratings

A GARIBALDIAN IN THE CONVENT

Un garibaldino al convento

Directed by Vittorio De Sica
Italy, 1942
Comedy, Drama

Synopsis

A grandmother reminisces on happy and sad memories of her youth in a convent school in pre-unitarian Italy. She tells her grandchildren the tragic love story of her then rival, Mariella, whose secret lover, a Garibaldi soldier, was wounded in battle and hidden from the nuns in the convent.

Synopsis

A grandmother reminisces on happy and sad memories of her youth in a convent school in pre-unitarian Italy. She tells her grandchildren the tragic love story of her then rival, Mariella, whose secret lover, a Garibaldi soldier, was wounded in battle and hidden from the nuns in the convent.

Our take

Playing fast and loose with historical accuracy, Vittorio De Sica’s early-career gem showcases a knack for comedy, which was overshadowed by his neorealist classics. The austerity of Catholic teaching is upstaged by girlish shenanigans, culminating in an endearing portrait of convent-school life.